NCAA Basketball: 2021 4-star G Brandin Podziemski announces top 5
By Ian Mumm
Kentucky Wildcats
It hasn’t been an easy year for Kentucky fans, to say the least. Despite going through growing pains at the beginning of every season, due to being a major implementor of one-and-done recruiting methods, the 2020-21 campaign has been far worse than normal.
Terence Clarke suffered an early injury resulting in his season being cut short, while the rest of the recruiting class has taken much longer to become comfortable playing at a high and consistent level. Even high-profile graduate transfer Olivier Sarr has not provided the same production that made him the top offseason target for the ‘who’s who’ of college basketball this summer.
Looking ahead to next season, the Wildcats may boast more of the conventional developmental approach with the projection to retain guards Clarke, Devin Askew, Dontaie Allen, and possibly senior Davion Mintz. Kentucky has already received the signature of sharpshooting guard Nolan Hickman further adding to the backcourt stable in Lexington. While each of these options is destined to take another step forward this offseason, Podziemski is likely the most reliable pure scorer of the group.
It’s hard not to envision him being able to create a path to more playing time with his consistency. The program desperately needs proven shooters on their roster and could really use his services. However, the sheer number of weapons the Wildcats already feature provides a little pause into thinking that Kentucky is automatically going to be his selection when he does decide to commit to a program. Coach John Calipari can never be ruled out of a recruiting race, and Podziemski very much likes the Kentucky brand, but the options at this juncture seem to not be in their favor.